Saturday, January 30, 2010

Cleaning up has never been a big issue with us. Both Caitlin and Ashlee are happy enough helping put their toys away. We have, however, been getting some recent talking back from Caitlin when asked to help clean up.

Last night when we had to clean up the mess in their room, I tried a new approach. Caitlin came and told me when she was ready to start cleaning up, and then she gave out the assignments.

"Mom, you clean up the books and I will do the blocks"

"Now you do these other blocks and I will do the Candy Land game"

.......etc.... until everything was cleaned up.

She seemed to like being the one in charge.

For dinner I do not cater to my kids. We eat whatever I have decided to make, and that's that. Chris and I, and usually Ashlee, always think it is delicious, Caitlin doesn't like anything but eats it anyway.

But once in a while I will make a fun meal focused on the kids. Last night was such a night. I saw this in a magazine and we tried it out.

The girls loved it, and Chris and I ate it. I am happy to make fun things for them every now and again :)

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

We made a trip last weekend to attend the funeral (aka life rememberance) of Chris's Grandma Barbara Quinby (aka Nani- pronounced Nah-knee).

She loved the theater, so the service was held at a local theater in Loveland that she often frequented. (as I am typing this I can't remember if the place is theater or theatre. I should know being the wife of a theater teacher, oh well.)It was all done very nicely, and it was good to remember some of the great things she did with her life.We also got to see and/or meet many relatives who came to Colorado for the event.

Some of her pictures were inlarged and placed in the outside marquee, which was really neat and something she would have just loved.

Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and spouses.

Chris has always held a special place in his heart for his Grandma, who helped instill the love of theater in him.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Ashlee is nearly 18 months now, and is developing quite a vocabulary. She has always been good at communicating what she wants, now she just has a few words to go with her other sounds, actions, etc.

The only thing she can't express well are her frustrations. A couple of days ago she resorted to biting, and the culprit happens to always be Caitlin. She just doesn't know what else to do, so she bites.

We scold her, tell her we don't bite and put her in her crib for a sort of time-out. But we just don't know what to do. Caitlin never bit, so we haven't a clue. I hope this is a phase that passes very quickly.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

was the address we all shared in NY.It was one house with 2 apartments. We lived in the upstairs apartment and our friends lived downstairs. It was awesome and unique to live so close to friends, but we loved it and we developed a very close friendship.Then we moved to Wyoming and they moved to Iowa, so we took a rode trip to spend the New Year with the Ransom's.It was a great trip and we did a lot of fun things!